Farmers learn of positive prospects for wool

Anglesey NFU Cymru members recently learnt of the positive prospects for wool, with demand for the product expected to grow significantly this year.

Following on from last year’s strong selling season, and virtually no stock left from 2013, Mr Foulkes, BWMB Anglesey’s Board member, told a recent NFU Cymru Anglesey County meeting that he was confident that the buoyant market will continue in heading into a new wool season, he also said that there are signs of the international markets continuing to pick up in countries like China – a major trading area for British wool.

He explained that an increasing demand for wool products is in part down to the significant work of the Campaign for Wool across the globe to show the versatility of wool as a truly modern, sustainable fibre.

Anglesey NFU Cymru County Chairman Christine Jones said the time was right for wool but warned that any wool sold outside the BWMB auction system could reduce the value of wool to all producers. She said, “There is now a clear demand for wool as consumers are becoming more familiar with the environmental and green agenda.

“However, we need to see a real commitment from our sheep farmers to support the British Wool Marketing Board so that we can promote wool, market and sell it in order to achieve the best possible price.”

NFU Cymru members present called on the British Wool Marketing Board to look at their structures again so a bigger proportion of the returns find its way to the farmer. The sheep farmer has a role to play in presenting the wool in the best possible condition but equally the Board in continually looking at its costs.